San Marino Ship & Yacht Registration (DIR)
Ship and yacht registration under the San Marino flag, supported by AGPLAW as an Official Designated Inspections Representative (DIR) and Registration Specialist.
The San Marino Ship Register provides an international registration framework for merchant vessels, private yachts, commercial yachts and other eligible vessels, with an emphasis on digital procedures, international ownership and responsive administration. AGPLAW works directly with the San Marino Ship Register as a Registration Specialist. Under this cooperation, AGPLAW is authorised to promote and facilitate San Marino registrations for commercial yachts, private yachts, merchant vessels, cruise vessels and cargo vessels up to 500 GT. Registering a ship under the San Marino flag provides benefits such as: (a) competitive registration fees and tonnage taxes, (b) a flexible regulatory framework, and (c) no restrictions on ship ownership or crew nationality. Our Shipping & Maritime team can manage the registration process from the initial assessment of the vessel and ownership structure through to documentation, registration, reflagging, surveys, mortgages, corporate matters and ongoing liaison with the Registry.
Facts & Info about: San Marino Ship & Yacht Registration (DIR)
San Marino has developed its maritime registry around a comparatively modern administrative model. Registration applications and supporting documentation can be handled electronically, the Registry provides online services for registration, renewal, payment, document validation and registry transcripts, and its yacht material specifically refers to electronic certificates.
For international owners, another important feature is that ownership is not restricted to San Marino nationals or San Marino incorporated companies. A foreign owner can therefore retain an existing ownership structure where it satisfies Registry, KYC, sanctions and technical requirements, while appointing a San Marino Resident Agent where required.
The Registry also maintains dedicated frameworks for private and commercial yachts, including specific safety codes for yachts below and above 24 metres Load Line length. This can make San Marino relevant not only when registering a newly acquired vessel, but also when considering a change of flag, financing transaction, ownership restructuring or change between private and commercial use.
The choice of flag should nevertheless be assessed against the vessel itself. Trading pattern, vessel age, tonnage, commercial/private use, financing arrangements, insurance, crewing, tax position and port-state-control exposure can all affect the suitability of a registry.
- San Marino Maritime Law: Governs the registration, sales, and mortgages of ships.
- Tonnage Tax Law: Regulates the taxation system based on tonnage.
- Ownership:Ships can be owned by individuals or companies of any nationality.
- Company Formation: The owning company can be registered in San Marino or elsewhere.
- Directorship: No specific residency requirements for directors.
- Resident Agent: Required.
- Office Address: The company must have a registered office, which can be a representative office in San Marino.
- Annual Maintenance: Annual tonnage tax and maintenance fees must be paid.
- Inspections: Regular safety and compliance inspections as mandated by the San Marino Maritime Administration.
- Financial Statements: Not explicitly required.
- Tonnage Tax System:San Marino has a tonnage tax regime.
- Income Exemptions: : Income from the operation of San Marino-registered vessels can be tax-exempt under certain conditions.
- Capital Gains: No capital gains tax on the sale or transfer of a San Marino-registered vessel or the shares of a shipping company.
- Registration Process: The registration process is typically swift, taking a few days.
- Flag State Control: San Marino maintains high standards of safety, security, and environmental protection.
- Reputation: San Marino is not on the Paris and Tokyo MoUs.
- Support Services: Comprehensive maritime services including ship management and legal support.
- Strategic Location: Attractive due to its favorable regulatory environment.

